"The Quiet Game" by Greg Iles

What are Penn's true motives for investigating the unsolved murder of the black Korean War veteran? Is it revenge, an insatiable desire for the truth to be told or something else completely?

For more information about the author, check out:

http://www.gregiles.com/

"The Art of Mending" by Elizabeth Berg

Do any of the these characters have false expectations of what forgiveness is and/or what it should do for them? What is the definition of forgiveness -- of oneself and of others?

For more information about the author, visit:

http://www.elizabeth-berg.net/site/epage/47233_662.htm

"Faceless Killers" by Henning Mankell

What specifics does the novel reveal about how police investigations are conducted? About the strained relations between the police, the press, and the government? About the connection between sudden insight and the dogged search for clues?

For more information about the author, check out:

http://www.inspector-wallander.org/guide/mankell/index.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2003/nov/01/featuresreviews.guardianreview13

The Big Read

Wayne Public Library is participating in the Big Read beginning Oct. 22, 2009 The book for our Big Read will be "The Maltese Falcon" by Dashiell Hammett.

Starting November 2, 2009; discussion questions will be posted weekly, but feel free to voice your comments and opinions about the book below...

Look for "Comment" located underneath this section, click on it and then type your comment and then click submit. You may comment anonymously or use your own Blogger id if you choose to.

(All comments are moderated and do not get published until they are approved by our librarian.)

The BIG READ is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.

"The Broken Window" by Jeffery Deaver

The plot described in Deaver's book is based on possible real situations. Did you find all aspects of the story believable? Could it all have happened in 3 days?

For more information about the author, check out:

http://www.jefferydeaver.com/

"To the Power of Three" by Laura Lippman

Was it right of Kat's father, Dale, to get involved in the valedictorian issue at her school? Did it irrevocably set circumstances into motion?

For more information about the author including interviews, check out:

http://www.lauralippman.com/

Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs

Augusta “Gus” Simpson, entertainer and star of her own television show on the Cooking Channel learns that she will have to share her show with another cook, Carmen Vega, supposedly the girlfriend of the head of the Cooking Channel. Carmen’s goal is to take over the show, but no matter what Gus always remains professional. While dealing with her two adult daughters and their relationships with boy friends and broken engagements and worried about losing her show, Gus persists with life and finds a new direction for herself and also finds love. The book is full of humor and moves at a fast pace. It’s a great read!

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

What is your response to the ending of the novel, particularly the last meeting between Simon and Maisie? Is Maisie more focused on her suffering or Simon's? Is her focus where it ought to be? Does the scene resolve the tensions of the story or heighten them?

For more information about the author, Jacqueline Winspear:

http://www.jacquelinewinspear.com/jacquelinewinspear.htm

For an intereseting interview with the author:

http://www.bookbrowse.com/author_interviews/full/index.cfm?author_number=1028

"What Was She Thinking? [Notes on a Scandal]" by Zoe Heller

At the end of the novel, which woman is more sympathetic? Is Barbara friend, guardian, foe, jailer, interloper, predator? Is Sheba a victim of circumstances, an understandably bored housewife, or a selfish woman spoiled by privilege?






For more information about Zoe Heller, check out this interview with Robert Birnbaum:
http://www.themorningnews.org/archives/personalities/birnbaum_v_zoe_heller.php

The Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon

In the last few pages of the novel, do you think that Ben Marco commands Raymond (under hypnosis) to commit his final act, or does Raymond break free of the hypnosis and choose to do it on his own?

For more information about Richard Condon, visit:

http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/condon.htm